Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside Heart of the City Festival celebrates the area’s art, history, culture and people through live theatre, music, workshops and more.
In 2026 the festival celebrates its 23rd year between October 30th and November 7th.
This article contains the following information about the Heart of the City Festival:
Dates and Locations | Festival Activities |Â About the Festival | Other Information
DTES Heart of the City Festival
The annual Heart of the City Festival shares traditions, art forms and stories about Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES). Local organizations partner with the festival to help organize events, including concerts, theatre, films, forums, poetry readings, visual art exhibitions and cultural celebrations.
Last year’s edition featured over 100 events at more than 40 neighbourhood venues. Some events are ticketed while others are free.
2026 marks the festival’s 23rd year and the 43rd anniversary of Vancouver Moving Theatre, one of its lead organizers. Vancouver Moving Theatre presents the festival in partnership with the Association of United Ukrainian Canadians, the Carnegie Community Centre, and several other community partners.
Each year the festival features a wide range of music, theatre, poetry, film, dance, visual art, history walks, workshops and panel discussions.
Festival Dates and Locations
In 2026 the festival runs from Friday, October 30th, to Saturday, November 7th. Events typically take place at venues throughout the DTES, including the Carnegie Community Centre (401 Main Street), the Russian Hall (600 Campbell Avenue), and Simon Fraser University’s Djavad Mowafaghian World Art Centre at the Goldcorp Centre for the Arts (149 West Hastings Street).
About the Festival
The DTES Heart of the City Festival is presented by the Vancouver Moving Theatre. Vancouver Moving Theatre is a community-engaged arts organization based in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside that creates original productions, including Bah Humbug! (An annual Christmas play that raised funds for the DTES Heart of the City Festival up until 2019.)
The DTES is one of Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhoods, rich in culture and heritage, and the historic heart of the city.
Day Of the Dead Altar Video
November 2nd is Mexico’s Day of the Dead. It’s akin to Halloween, except with this festival, Mexicans celebrate the return of departed souls with altars (ofrendas), music and costume, not frights.
The short video below shows a 2020 altar installed in downtown Vancouver during the festival. In 2025, Latin American Heritage Month ran from October 14th to November 2nd, overlapped with the Heart of the City Festival. Exact dates for both festivals in 2026 are to be confirmed.
Other Information
See the Heart of the City Festival website for the most up-to-date information regarding the DTES festival.
Other articles that might be of interest include the following:
- Vancouver Festivals & Events
- Shows & Entertainment Calendar
- Vancouver History and Culture
- Vancouver on a Budget
- Historical Chinatown Tours
Note: Photos in this article (including the one at the top of this page but not any with the Vancouver’s Best Places logo or the one of The Sojourners), are by David Cooper.
Other websites you might also find of interest include VancouverTheatres.ca and VancouverMusicFestivals.ca.
